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Stone Age finds in North Sea

Several flint artefacts, discovered by accident when the team were scuba diving, have pinpointed two sites off the North East coast. They would once have been on dry land but have been gradually submerged due to rising sea levels.

This is only the second such find in the UK. The sites are subject to further investigation to find out exactly how they were used by hunter-gatherers but one could be the earliest underwater archaeological site in the country.

NB We cannot disclose the exact location of the sites for security reasons but they are close to Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear.

Notes to editors:

MEDIA CALL
A media call will be held at Long Sands, Tynemouth at 10.30am Thursday September 11 2003, when there will be opportunities to interview, photograph and film the Newcastle University team in their scuba diving kit, with stone artefacts. Please meet by the disused open-air swimming pool at the Tynemouth end of Long Sands – this is accessible via steps or a ramp just in front of the Grand Hotel, Grand Parade, on the sea front. Meter parking is also available by the Grand Hotel.

PICTURES
Photographs of the Newcastle University team, the finds and copyright-free illustrations relating to the Stone Age period will available free of charge via ISDN from North News and Pictures from approx. noon on Thursday, September 11 2003, tel: 44-0-191-233-0223.

PRESS RELEASE
A full press release detailing the find will be available at the media call, or can be obtained via email or fax from Newcastle University Press Office (after the 10.30am embargo) on Thursday.

CONTACTS
Newcastle University Press Office 44-0-191-222-7850, or, on Thursday from 10am, Claire Jordan 44-0-7816-756-027 or Melanie Reed 44-0-07816-750-551.

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